United folding leg table



Feb '1, 1938. y B. E. WILLETT 2,107,252

UNITED FOLDING LEG TABLE Filed 001;. 1, '1954 v 2 Sheets- Sheet; 2

Patented F e1) 1, 1938 UNITED STATES UNITED FOLDING LEG TABLE Benedict E. Willett, Dayton, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Charles W. Riebel, Louisville, Ky.

Application October 1,

6 Claims.

My invention relates generally to an improved folding mechanism for card tables, banquet tables, benches, beds and other articles, and more particularly to articles having foldable or collapsible members, whereby the article can be compactly folded for storage when not in use.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a folding means whereby the folding and unfolding movements of the collapsible members are automatic, in that themovement of any one of said members affects the movement of all the other of said members.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of such a folding means which involves the use of loosely coupled actuating members for connecting the various collapsible members of the article, whereby an initial folding or unfolding movement of one of said members is permitted before simultaneous movement of all the members is affected.

A still further object of my invention lies in the provision of a folding means which permits wide variation in the assemblage of all parts without impairing the automatic operation of the collapsible members of the article. I

A further object of my invention includes the provision of a guide means for each loosely coupled actuating member which lies in a plane co-inciding with the plane in which the actuating members move.

A still further object of my invention lies in the provision of means for rigidly securing the loosely coupled actuating members one to another when the foldable members of the article are moved to the folded or unfolded position thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of catch or fastening means for releasably locking the foldable members in the unfolded position.

Another object of my invention. lies in the provision of improved hardware for a folding mechanism which may be sub-assembled in units independently of the article to which it is secured.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved construction in hardware for a folding mechanism. whereby the completed article is com.- posed of a number of duplicate sub-assembled units.

A major improvement of my invention lies in the provision of a construction which permits all riveted joints, pivots, et cetera to be completed before attaching to the foldable article.

Another object of my invention lies in the provision of a folding mechanism which will permit variations in the completed article after assem- 1934, Serial No. 746,325

blage, such as, warping, expansion and contraction without impairing the intended operation of the various elements as the foldable members are moved to the folded or unfolded positions thereof.

Another object of my invention. is toassemble the spring catch or locking device as an integral part of one of the guide means, so that a definite relation between the guide member to be locked, and the locking device can be established regardless of variations in the article controlled by said folding mechanism.

Another object of my invention lies in the provision of an improved pivot for the foldable or collapsible members which effectually provides a sturdy and inexpensive means for bracing the foldable members in the unfolded position.

With these objects in view the invention is carried into effect by instrumentalities illustrated by the annexed drawings and specification as applied to a table. It should be clearly understood at the outset that my folding mechanism herein illustrated, described and claimed, has a wide and varied application to many articles. For illustrative purposes only, the invention has been applied to a tab-1e such as a card table, but it will be obvious that the same is equally applicable to banquet and other types of tables, benches, luggage stands, beds and many other articles.

The other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numbers and characters designate like parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan View of a card table illustrating the folding mechanism with the legs in the folded position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the table taken along lines 22 of Fig. 1 but showing the legs in the full extended positions.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a portion of the table showing the leg in its extended position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the guideway shown in Fig. 3 and indicating the relative position of the loosely coupled actuating members and locking means, when the parts are influenced by the legs being moved to their unfolded positions.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken along lines 55 of Fig. 3 showing the means for mounting the leg on the table top.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3 showing the relation of the actuating members, guide and pivot, when the legs are moved to the unfolded position.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken along line 'l 1 of Fig. 3 illustrating the relation between the spring locking means and actuating member when the legs are in an unfolded position.

Fig. 8 is a detail section along line 8- 8 of Fig. 3 illustrating my improved pivot connection between the actuating member and connecting link.

Fig. '8a illustrates the relation between the other end of the connecting link of Fig. 8 and the table leg brace.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan View of the actuating member guide illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig.9a is a partial elevational view ,of Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 is a plan view illustrating the construction of the ends of the actuating members.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral l refers to a supporting surface, in this case a table top,'which is provided with the usual side flanges or frame members 2. 'Hingedrtothe frame. members 2'at each corner thereof is a leg 3 mounted on an axis extending parallel with one of the frame members! so that the leg can be folded against thetable top within and substan tially parallel to an adjacent frame member. The

V legs may be mounted on the table top in any suitable mannerbut preferably each leg and its sup- .porting structure is first assembled as a unit and then secured as a unit to the table top. As illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, each leg is carried by a pin 5 which has a reduced portion 5a at one end carried in a supporting bracket 4, which in turn is mounted on one of the frame members 2 of the table top. The other end of pin 5 is mounted in a socket 5c in an adjacent frame member. The bracket 4 comprises an apertured arm for receiving the reduced portion 5a of pin 5 and an attaching portion bent laterally as shown in Fig. 3. The other end of the attaching portion of bracket 4, is provided with a similar arm having anaperture to receive the reduced portion 6a of a pin 6. As illustrated in Figj 3 theaxes of pins 5 and (i-are adapted to substantially co-incide with each other. It will be further noted that the reduced portions 5a and 6a of respective pins 5 and 6 extend slightly beyond each respective arm of the bracket to which they are attached, so that each pin may be upset or riveted as indicated by 5b6b to secure the pins to their respective arms. 'Pin '6 is provided with a head indicated at 50. Between head 60 and the arm of bracket 4, is pivo-tally held brace 8. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the bracket 4, pins 5 and 6, and-brace. 8 may be carried as a sub-assembled hinge unit. In assembling the leg unit; pin 5 is first extended through an aperture in the upper end of leg 3. A pin 9 having a head 90 and reduced portion 9a is inserted in a second aperture of leg 3 at a point below pivot pin 5. The aperture of connecting link l0, indicated in Fig. 8a, is pivotally placed on the end of pin 9, whereupon brace 8 is secured to the reduced portion So by upsetting or riveting as indicated by 9b.-

In assembling the leg unit to the tabletop, it becomes necessary to merely insert the hook member 1b of connecting link It! into the aperture lGa of actuating arm l6, as illustrated in Fig. '8. It is important to note in Fig.8 that hook IOb is joined to link l through bearing portion la and reduced portion Inc. Fig. 8 illustrates the relative position of link Hland actuating member l6 when the legs are in the unfoldedposition, at which time advantage is taken ofthe angular displacement of bearing portion lUa to bind in aperture I60. and eliminate all lost motion between link l0 and actuating member l6. When the leg is moved to the folded position, bearing support Illa assumes a perpendicular position with respect to the surface of actuating member Hi. This organization of parts permits a freely operating pivot connection between members I (la and i6 while the legs are being moved, which is automatically transferred to airigid connection when the legs are in the unfolded position.

As hereinbefore mentioned, hook Hlb having been inserted in aperture Ilia, pin isthen provided with spacer 1 and inserted in socket 5c in frame member 2, whereupon bracket 4 is secured to the adjacent frame member by means of screws 3s or their equivalent. 7

From the foregoing it is obvious that the hardware for leg member 3 may be carried in a sub- .assembled stage, and which in turn is quickly and easily assembled to'the leg prior to securing same to the table top. This arrangement not only greatly facilitates the assembly of the table but provides a distinct advantage for quantity production as well as permitting concentrated sub-packages for efficient shipment.

The several legs are connected one to the other I 7 in such a manner that the movement of any one Preferably this is accomplished by mounting 5 beneath the table top an actuating device which is capable of moving in a plane substantially parallel with the table top I. Further, since the tops of tables of this classification are usually made of light material which has a tendency to 'warp or buckle, it is desirable that such actuating device be supported and guided entirely independently of the top. With this object in view I have fashioned my actuating device to be supported solely by guides carried by the flanges or frame member 2. Thus all mechanical hardware for my improved table construction is supported entirely by the frame. of the table top. As illustrated; and

as is the accepted practice adopted by present table manufacturers, this frame member consists of a relative sturdy construction. Thus my invention makes use of only the sturdy elements of the table, eliminating the need of auxiliary braces or supports. 7

My actuating device consists namely of four;

actuating members l6, one being provided for each leg of the table. These members are illustrated in detail in Fig. 10, and are fashioned principally from light rectangular iron bars. One end of the actuating member I6 is provided with an aperture r:

Ma for receiving the reduced portion l2a-of a pin I2, and a notch M to be engaged by a spring catch l3. The other end of member [6 is slightlyoffset and is provided with a slotted opening I5 for slidably engaging a pin I2. ing, and in the offset portion of member I6 is disposed aperture 6w hereinbeforementioned for receiving hook 19b of connecting link I0.

My invention further provides that four such actuating members are joined and-carried as a sub-assembly.

Referring in detail to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be noted that pin l2, which is provided with head l2b, is inserted in a slotted'opening 1-5 of one member; the reduced portion lZa thereof bein Near the slotted open- 1 inserted in an aperture Ma of an adjacent actuating member it and secured thereto by upsetting or riveting as indicated by 122).

As illustrated in the selected embodiment of my invention, four guide and supporting members II are required. Figs. 9 and 9a deal principally with the construction of these guide members, which are preferably formed with an angularly disposed leg for mounting same to frame 2 by screws Us or their equivalent. Fig. 6 indicates the angular construction of member H, and the mounting thereof by a screw lls. Referring in particular to Fig. 9, it will be noted that the vertical leg of guide H is provided with holes H h for receiving the mounting screws lls. The other leg thereof. is fashioned with an elongated slot lid substantially dividing the leg into two surface portions 5 If and He. The width of slot Ila", is organized to slidably engage pin l2. One end of slot lid, preferably the end engaged by pin l2 in the folded position of the table legs, is enlarged to provide an opening l lg of sufficient diameter to admit the head I20 of pin l2, the purpose of which will be dealt with later. The slotted leg of guide ii is also provided with bosses l to which serve to automatically determine the proper spacing between the surface of the guide member H and the table top 9. Referring to Fig. 9a it is important to note that portion Me, of the slotted leg, is oifset with respect to portion Hf, to provide a cam surface gradually increasing in height toward the end of. the slot which is engaged by pin l2 when the legs are moved to the unfolded position. Adjacent each end portion of slot lid are positioned cam members i la and 5 lb, but are sopositioned that they will automatically engage the end of actuating member 56 adjacent slot 15 when the legs are in the respective unfolded and folded positions.

As hereinbefore mentioned opening lg is of suficient size to admit the head We of pin 52. Obviously this construction permits the guide members to be assembled with the actuating members it after same have been loosely joined one to another by reason of slotted openings l5 and pins 92.

As hereinbefore mentioned each actuating member it is provided with a locking notch it, however, only one of the guide members H is equipped with a locking spring l3 as illustrated in Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7 illustrate the rela tion between the locking spring 63 and associated parts when the legs are in the unfolded position.

To assemble my actuating device, each actuating member is provided with a guide member H for each pin it as hereinbefore described, and is laid on the underside of. the table in a position similar to that indicated in Fig. 1.. A leg unit then mounted in each corner as hereinbefore described with the hook portion lllb of each connecting link properly lodged in its respective aperture lBa. Each leg is then moved to a position which will be regarded as the unfolded position thereof. One guide member II is then chosen to carry the spring lock member I3. By firmly gripping the associate leg, the guide member is moved until cam I la forcibly engages the end of member it adjacent slot I5 and forces pin it against the edge of portion Ile of guide member ll. This relation is carefully indicated in Figs. 4 and 6. At this time the guide H is rigidly attached to frame 2 by screws He or their equivalent. Advancing in a counter-clockwise direction each guide member and associate leg is similarly treated and secured to frame 2. Thus this procedure of assembly, definitely assures that all lost motion between the loosely coupled actuating members It will be removed when the legs are in the unfolded position.

Further, it will be evident that through the use of. loose couplings effected by pins l2 and slots l5, and by the method of assembly indicated above, appreciable variation in the size of the table tops can be accommodated without impairing the operation of my device. In the event table tops are less than a normal size the guides when anchored will merely be located to the left of the center, and when the table tops are larger than normal, the guides will be located to the right of the center.

With the guide members thus secured in place the table becomes a completed article. To move the legs to the folded position, spring lock [3 is disengaged from notch l4 and pressure applied to any leg, whereupon similar movement will be imparted through members It and connecting links Hi to the other legs of the table. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be evident that members l6 move counter-clockwise when the legs are moved to the unfolded position and move clockwise when the legs are moved to'the folded position. By carefully noting Fig. 1 and considering pressure applied to the leg in the lower right hand corner to close same, it will be. obvious that as soon as member l5 disengages cam Ha the pin [2 will become free to move in slot l5. Therefore, before similar movement is imparted to the leg in the lower left hand corner, it will be required to take up the lost motion of the slot l5. This is effected in; or lib is engaged by the end of member it,

while in between these cam surfaces the members it engage the sup-porting leg of their respective guides.

As hereinbefore described, portion lle of. each 3;;

guide is gradually offset toward the unfolded end of the guide slot lld. Note Fig. 9a. The purpose of this arrangement is to remove all vertical lost motion between the head of pin l2 and the surface Hf of the guide. Thus the loose coupling between each adjacent actuating member It; is transferred into a rigid connection in both the vertical and horizontal planes when the legs are in the unfolded position. Because of the elevation of surface He only at the unfolded end of J slot lid, the vertical lost motion will not be removed when the legs are in the folded position, however, cams Ilb will function in the folded position of the legs to substantially remove the lost motion in the horizontal plane. While cams l lb serve to remove lost motion between adjacent members Vi when the legs are folded, they additionally serve to free the initial movement of members I6 from the folded position of the legs.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and economical folding mechanism which synchronizes the folding movement of the legs and which produces a smooth, even and easily operable folding means. It will be clear that by virtue of the connecting links H] and actuating members IS, the folding of any one leg will result in all legs moving to the folded position or vice versa.

As adverted at the outset, my invention resides principally in a folding mechanism which is equally applicable to many collapsible or foldable articles and I do not desire to limit myself to the specific embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, likewise there are changes which may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact form herein shown and described other than by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table on individual pivots arranged so thatall the legs move in the same direction with respect to the periphery of the table, a longitudinally slotted guide bar for each leg and secured to the table interjacent each leg, an

, actuating member for each leg, each actuating membei fashioned at one end with a guide means for operating in the slot of its respective guide bar and an elongated aperture at the opposite end loosely and slidably engaging the guide means of a successive actuating member, and a connecting link pivoted to each leg and pivotally 'embracingits respective actuating member near ing member for each leg, each actuating member fashioned at one end with a guide means for operating in the slot of its respective guide bar and an elongated aperture at the opposite end loosely and slidably engaging the guide means of a successive actuating member, and a connecting link pivoted to each leg and pivotally embracing its respective actuating member 'near its apertured end whereby the operation of any one of said legs will successively impart similar movement to all the other legs and means engaging each actuating member at its apertured end from preventing said aperture from loosely and slidably engaging their respective guide means when the legs are moved to the unfolded position.

3. In a table, a pluralityof supporting legs pivoted to the table on individual pivots arranged so that all the legs move in the. same direction with respect to the periphery of the table, a longitudinally slotted guide bar for each leg and secured to the table interjacent each leg, an actuating member for each leg, each actuating member fashioned at one end with a guide means for operating in the slotof its respective guide bar and an elongated aperture at the opposite end loosely and slidably engaging the guide means of a successive actuating member, and a connecting link pivoted to each leg and pivotally embracing its respective actuating member near its apertured end whereby the operation of any one of said legs will successively impart similar movement to all the other legs, and means for releasably locking said actuating members against movement when said legs are moved to the unfolded position. 7

4. In a table, a plurality of supporting legs pivoted to the table and foldable against same, means connecting the legs with each other so actuating member for each leg equipped with a guide pin, each member loosely and slidably enaging the guide pin of an actuating member for an adjacent leg, a guide bar secured to the table interjacent each leg and provided with a guide way, the guide pin of each actuating member being loosely guided in the guide 'way of an adja- -cent guide bar, a connection from each leg to itsrespective actuating member, and cooperating locking means on the guide bars and said actuating members to remove lateral and vertical movement ofeach guide pin in its respective guide way when the legs are moved to an extended or supporting position.

5. In a table, a table top, a plurality of' supporting legs pivoted to'said table top and foldable against same, a series of longitudinally slotted guides mounted beneath said table top, a plurality of actuating members one for each leg having their ends loosely and slidably connected one to another and slidably mounted in said,

guides, and an operative connection between each leg and its respective actuating member, whereby the movement of any one of said legs will suecessively impart similar movement to each of the other said legs through said connections.

6'. In, a table, a plurality of supporting legs, mounted on said table top, means connecting all of the legs so that movement of any one of said legs will successively impart similar movement to each of the other legs, said means including for, each leg, a slotted guide mounted beneath said table, an actuating member loosely and slidably connected to: the slot in said guide, an operative connection between said leg and said actuating member, and a cam carried by said guide ccoperating with said actuating means to restrict the loose connection in said slot and rigidly securesaid actuating member to said guide when the table legs are moved to their extended or supporting position. 7

BENEDICT E. WILLE'I'I. 

